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29 June 2011

Last year, I teamed up with Kara to present our version of the Supernatural season five awards. This year, we are thrilled to have Amy joining us for another special collaboration project.

So without further adieu, may we present Project Kara-Amy-Tiny -- aka our version of the Supernatural season six awards (part 1 of 3).

Favourite Filler

Kara: I found it really, really, hard to work out what a good filler was in this season. A season where on first watching it seemed like more fillers than mythos episodes, however even with the underlining issue about the heavens weapons seemed more like a plot device for this episode, hence why calling it a filler. Anyway the winner of the first award is, The French Mistake. The French Mistake was just a fun episode and allowed some humour before entering the deep dark world of walls breaking and angels becoming Gods and really everyone dying, even those who had already died – I am looking at you Ellen.

Amy: I always struggle with what constitutes a filler episode, because nearly all episodes in some way point to the over-arching mythology. Also, there were a few episodes in season six that probably do fall into the filler category that were excellent. But, I know I’ve got to pick one, so I’m going to pick Weekend At Bobby’s. Pretty sure this is a filler. I just loved getting a peak into Bobby’s life. I loved the interaction between Bobby and Rufus. I loved the interaction between Bobby and Crowley and that Bobby outsmarted that smartass demon! It’s a fun script by Dabb & Loflin with lots of great one-liners. The characters were beautifully represented and of course, this is the episode Jensen directed. So if this is considered filler, Weekend at Bobby’s is my favourite.

Honourable mentions: Clap Your Hands If You Believe, Live Free Or Twihard, Frontierland (if indeed any of these are actually fillers).

Tiny: I love a good filler that is fun and not too intense. My favourite filler in season six is Weekend at Bobby's. Jim Beaver is one of my favourite actors, I just love me some Bobby centric episode. Dean and Sam have taken Bobby for granted and I like how this was addressed in the episode. I love the 'behind the scene' tour of Bobby's daily life. I love how details were embedded into the episode highlighting Bobby's dedication, selflessness and awesomeness. I like his 'Help me for once' speech the most. Bobby would do anything for the boys, he had been through some really tough times recently when he was in the wheelchair. So, to me, the 'Help me for once' speech was an indication of Bobby's attitude of life -- that he wasn't going to let Crowley walk all over him and he had every intention to live. This episode was directly by Jensen Ackles who did a fabulous job. Bravo! I cannot wait to watch the DVD featurette of this episode and I cannot wait to see Jensen's second directorial effort in season seven.
Least Favourite Filler

Kara: This was really hard one. Because to me what is the difference between least favourite filler and least favourite episode when they both suck? So it then comes down to which one I dreaded the most when rewatching and that would be my least favourite episode and the other would be my least favourite filler. ANYWHO Kara’s Least Favourite episode goes to, drum roll please, Mannequin 3: The Rise of the Craptastic episode. Blah! Such a weak pathetic episode and how the hell did the sister end up dead? And the ‘comedy’ of the creep having a doll as a girlfriend. And don’t even get me started on the whole Parent Trap section of the episode. Please. No. Never again.

Amy: Oh so easy… Mannequin 3: The Reckoning. I disliked this episode intensely on first watch. Even more than season four’s Criss Angel is a Douchebag! I hated it less on rewatch....but not by much. It’s probably taken the mantel off Criss Angel as my least favourite Supernatural episode ever. It was messy. A poorly constructed script and a loosely directed episode. The humour was shoehorned in and everything felt forced. That whole scene with Lisa, the random door closing montage, the Metallicar gone wild moment. YUCK. The thing is, the haunted kidney concept was actually kind of cool. That’s a neat idea, because really, what would you do about that? So I think the idea was there, it was just poorly executed. The only scene that worked was the scene between Dean and Ben...except, does Dean really need more guilt put on him? Justsayin’.

Tiny: Mannequin 3: The Reckoning had a very uncharacteristic montage in the history of Supernatural. The Lisa-opening-door montage was lame. I didn't think the style or editing or the soundtrack was Dean-y. The story was forgettable, the kidney thing was meh. Having said that, this episode has its moments, referencing the Impala as a sex doll was kinda awesome.

Favourite Episode

Kara:The Man Who Would Be King. I like Cas centric episodes and I liked how this episode had a different story telling method. I enjoyed the whole Demon version of Bobby, the whole dark side of Cas.

Amy: Hmmmmm...tricky to pick a personal favourite. I think I’ll go with Frontierland. I really enjoyed this episode. Dean was having such a good time. It’s not often we see Dean really happy. I like happy Dean. It was another awesome script from Dabb & Loflin with plenty of humour (mostly at Dean’s expense) but also some solid character exploration. It revealed more of the whole Cas is lying through his teeth thing, we saw Lenore again and we actually got to meet Samuel Colt. It was one of those, how does Supernatural keep knocking episodes like this out of the park moments. Plus it had an all shades of gray bad guy that you sort of feel sorry for and Dean in a very hot cowboy outfit....what’s not to love there.

Honourable mention: Appointment in Samarra.

Tiny: Season six took risks, more so than ever. I like it when writers think outside the square especially with genre shows, because as a fan I expect innovative refreshing ideas that challenge my viewing habit and I like to see a long-running show like Supernatural to keep reinventing itself. They were some really outstanding and memorable episodes this season -- the time-travel cowboy episode Frontierland; the first person narration story-telling style in The Man Who Would Be King; and the super-meta episode The French Mistakes. I love these episodes very much.
Least Favourite Episode

Kara:Clap Your Hands If You Believe. There are certain lines I thought Supernatural would never cross, having fairies in an episode is one of them. I could have handled it if it was like a Trickster episode where the fairies aren’t real and just some illusion. But come on! Seriously? Fairies. Blah. As Sookie says in True Blood “Fairies *bleeping* how lame.”

Amy: Yeah, Mannequin 3: The Reckoning again, for all the reasons stated earlier.

Dishonourable mention: All Dogs Got To Heaven.

Tiny: Let me reiterate. To me, there is no such thing as a horrible or unwatchable Supernatural episode. Even Bugs has its moment. The reason I picked Family Matters was because of my disappointment in the character of Grandpa Samuel, and not because of the writing or casting or performance. As long time readers of my blog, you'd know I am a huge fan of the family episodes such as Home, In the Beginning and The Song Reminds the Same. I love it when the Winchesters are in the same episode, in the same scene. So, when I heard about Grandpa was joining the show, I was so excited. My expectation was so high, it fell hard and flat. Family Matters was a great episode, again don't get me wrong, I was just disappointed with Samuel Campbell because he was weak and not inspiring. This episode reminded me of how much I wanted the Mary-John family vibe (the Winchester family vibe) and I wasn't getting it and I never will. Agh!
Favourite Writer

Kara: Sera Gamble. She wrote Appointment in Samarra and Let It Bleed this season, need I say more?

Amy: Ben Edlund is always going to be my favourite writer. Clap Your Hands If You Believe, The French Mistake but in particular, The Man Who Would Be King are all awesome. The thing I love about Edlund is he can write the ridiculous but he can also write the heavy emotional moments that rip your heart out, like the many moments in TMWWBK. It was torturous.

Honourable mention: Dabb & Loflin. I love these two for their witty scripts, awesome character representation and really cool pop culture references.

Tiny: Unquestionably, without a doubt, hands down -- Ben Edlund. I love him. I want to write like Ben. The thing I love about Ben is how weird his ideas are -- fairies, suicidal teddy bear, killing the crew and cast in a super-meta episode and the reality show approach of Ghostfacers. He is more weird than Eric Kripke! There are so many reasons for me to love Ben. Seriously! If Supernatural is going to do a musical episode, I want Ben to write it.

Favourite Director

Kara: The only director that has had 100% total of awesome episodes... well episode. Jensen Ackles.

Dishonourable mentions: Philip Sgriccia. (I should say I did however enjoy My Heart Will Go On) but the OVER use of the flashbacks in Exile made me a hater. A show like Supernatural should presume, when you have six seasons, that your audience will know who the fudge Samuel is. We don’t need a jarring flashback that takes you from the episode. Flashbacks work like the montage in Swan Song, not just randomly.

Amy: Can I haz more than one? I feel like I need to say Jensen, because he’s my favourite everything and he did a lovely job with Weekend At Bobby’s. But really, I was blown away by Ben Edlund’s turn with The Man Who Would Be King. For the cast to bring home such amazing emotional performances shows a real trust in the director and his vision. Then there’s Phil Sgriccia and the wonderful camera angles he used in Like A Virgin, including the Impala interior, which was actually a moving shot, not done ‘poor man’s process’ but with the car really going down the road. That gave a wonderful intimacy to that moment with the brothers and made the scene feel real and gritty. Also there were some interesting shots with Bobby cooking. I like that Phil was trying new stuff. On a personal level of course, there’s Guy Bee who seems to be one of the nicest men on the face of the earth and a really good director. So I guess, bottom-line, I can’t choose just one.

Tiny: Again, unquestionably, without a doubt, hands down -- Ben Edlund. His directorial job in The Man Who Would Be King was outstanding. Ben had fantastic materials to work with.. oh wait.. he wrote the episode!

Honourable mention: It was an awesome directorial debut from Jensen Ackles. Kim Manners would be proud. Kick it in the ass!

Best Use of Song

Kara:The Gambler. The lyrics connect so well with Bobby -- "You just gotta know when to hold them."

Dishonourable mention: Smoke on the Water. I love that song and would be used so well in Supernatural HOWEVER it was edited weirdly in Two and a Half Men.

Amy: Ok, this is going to sound random, but for me it was, A New Day Yesterday by Jethro Tull. It was playing on the Impala radio in the episode Like a Virgin. That whole scene in the Impala is near perfect and something about that song just sets it off. Also, I like that essentially it’s incidental music, but it really adds to the overall natural feel of that scene, how it’s shot, the brother’s conversation. I just love it and I love how Dean turns the song up when he’s finished sharing. I downloaded that track straight away and now it’s a favourite. It’s awesome use of music.

Very honourable mentions: The Gambler in Weekend At Bobby’s, A Space Oddity in Clap Your Hands If You Believe and Play With Fire in The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Tiny: Never did I imagine that I would be saying this, but I love Kenny Rogers' The Gambler. I just love the use of song in Weekend at Bobby's. I love Bobby, not Kenny Rogers!! I also love the use of song in Exile On Main Street, Bob Seger's Beautiful Loser was a perfect song to sum up Dean's life as a soccer dad. I still prefer Dean as a hunter (who doesn't, right?), so this song comes second on the list.

Best Quote

Kara: “Welcome to next time.” Oh hells to the yeah Dean!

Amy: How can you ever choose a best quote from Supernatural. The show is filled with amazing dialogue. Snappy, witty comebacks all over the place, but if I must choose, I’m going to choose something that, once again, may seem random, but it is from Family Matters, when Dean walks in and sees Christian and says “Hello Newman.” I swear I nearly fell off my chair with the laughing. It may be because of my Seinfeld leanings, I don’t know, but Hello Newman? Man that was just pure gold.

Honourable mention: Dean’s whole posse magnet thing in Frontierland. Joy. Or maybe, “I’d rather ask forgiveness than permission” – Crowley in Let It Bleed, because I kind of want to live by that quote!

Tiny: Even in a horrible situation, Dean Winchester can still come up with something funny to say, "Jefferson Starships…because they're horrible and hard to kill."

Next up... 'Most Heart Breaking Moment', 'Favourite Villain', and 'Biggest WTF Moment' plus more in the next edition of Supernatural season six awards...

A big thank you and hugs and kisses to Kara and Amy for being some awesome.

22 June 2011

6,000+ fans in Hall H... I think, conservatively, at least 70% of the audience will be screaming fans, and that's still a lot of screaming! Jensen and Jared better bring ear plugs!

Hall H is one of the biggest, if not the biggest hall in the San Diego Convention Center. Hall H has the capacity of 6,000+ pax. Last year, Supernatural was in Ballroom 20, which has the capacity of 4000+ pax. I don't know who make decisions regarding who goes where, but whoever you are, you are awesome!! Below is the official description from WB:

Supernatural -- Sunday 24 July 11:15 am - 12:15 pm, Hall H Supernatural Screening and Q&A – For the first time ever, the Supernatural panel will be in Hall H! Join series stars Jared Padalecki (Friday the 13th [2009]) and Jensen Ackles (My Bloody Valentine 3D) and additional cast members and executive producers for an exclusive sneak peek at footage from the highly anticipated seventh season of this thrill-ride series. The panel will answer questions from the audience; show a portion of the special features from the upcoming Supernatural: The Complete Sixth Season DVD and Blu-ray™ release, in stores September 13; and give Comic-Con fans a sneak peek at Supernatural: The Anime Series, coming to DVD and Blu-ray™ on July 26. The seventh season of Supernatural premieres September 23, airing Fridays at 9/8c on The CW..."

Warner Bros is bringing 16 of their TV shows to Comic Con this year -- a record for a TV studio. Supernatural is the only WB show to appear in Hall H this year, which apparently doesn't happen often. Considering Supernatural is on a smaller network on Friday nights, and this is a show that doesn't usually get a lot of attentions and promos from the CW, this is a huge arrangement by the WB. Other WB TV series such as The Vampire Diaries (CW), The Big Bang Theory (CBS) and Supernatural's Friday night competitor, Fringe (Fox) are only going to be in Ballroom 20.

What does this move mean? I have not idea, it may or may not mean anything. But it's still epic, it's like a victory Supernatural deserves. This kind of promotion is way long overdue! Although Supernatural doesn't have big audience numbers week-in week-out in comparison to other TV series, but Supernatural is bigger and more popular than it appears on paper. Look at the turnouts at each Supernatural convention around the world, not only the cast is extremely charismatic, but ultimately it all comes down to the fact that it is a great TV series and fans like myself and my friends on Twitter keep tuning in for more.

IGN has the complete WB TV line-up at Comic Con. I am giving my special love to IGN because editor Eric Goldman is going to moderate the Supernatural panel this year. You can follow Eric on Twitter. Here is another IGN report on other TV shows coming to Comic Con this year.

I will definitely be tuning in to the Supernatural panel. I think it's highly likely they will show a clip of a Jensen directed episode. But apart from that, and I don't know why, I am kinda getting this vibe that they may have a big announcement or some sort.

That's all the energy I have for tonight. I am going to bed.

Note to WB or anyone: If you need an extra blogger onsite to cover the panels, I am available!!!!!

20 June 2011

The official details are in and I went to the WBShop.com to dig out some details. Supernatural season six will include some of the most anticipated special features ever! I am going straight into special features when I receive my copy!! Stay tuned as I bring you my review of the special features :) You know I can't help it!

(The Comic Con Panel was part of the special feature in the season four DVD, but that's ok.. I'll live.)

Synopsis:

The prize: ending the Apocalypse. The price: Sam’s life. Season five’s horrific finale left Dean alone, as Sam descended into Hell. Now a different man, Dean vows to stop hunting and devote himself to building a family with Lisa and her son Ben. Then, mysteriously, Sam reappears, drawing Dean back into the old life. But Sam’s a different man too. He’s returned without his soul. How the Winchesters confront this greatest challenge yet to their powerful bond is the troubled heart – and soul – of the profound and thrilling 5-Disc, 22-Episode Season 6. As the brothers struggle to reunite, they must also battle deadly supernatural forces. Demons. Angels. Vampires. Shapeshifters. And a terrifying new foe called the Mother of All.

Wait... there is more! The DVD will include five additional languages: Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Thai!

19 June 2011

I am particular with the words I chose to describe something sometimes. But let's go to 'meet' this time. This doesn't apply to any touching or having a conversation with.

I went to a pop culture convention yesterday in Sydney called Supernova, this is the closest thing we have to the ComicCon in Australia. It's very famous for featuring many Joss Whedon's actors and actresses as guests in years. And when it's impossible to invite someone like Transformers' Shia LaBeouf, you get to meet the actress who played his mother in the movie! Surely you remember Judy Witwicky! No sarcasm here.

I am not a big enough fan to go to Supernova every year. Like this year, I don't know half the guests there, but I guess it's an experience which is certainly different from the Supernatural cons like those organised by Creation Entertainment. Supernatural cons are more family-orientated, fans are like a family in a way. With cons like Supernova, it features shows from Dr Who to Firefly; manga and animations; and I was sooooo under-dressed! Seriously!

My first Supernova experience dated back to 2009 when Jared Padelecki was invited. He came here by himself. I just wanted to see Jared and I had no idea about the Cosplay and all that crazy stuff. That was like an ultimate pop cultural shock to me! I know fans are passionate and they spent hours and thousands of dollars on their costumes but I was so traumatised (not in a bad way). I am so glad Supernatural has its own AHBL convention in Australia.

Anyway, Jewel Staite was also a guest that year, she was so soft-spoken! I had no idea what she was talking about, Firefly was an unknown to me back then. And then we have Eliza Dushku and Summer Glau last year. Amy Acker, James Marsters and Sean Maher were amongst the guests this year. I was on Twitter last night and I had this random thought about how many Joss Whedon's actors and actresses I have seen live over the last few years? So here is the list and the hot links of the blogs I posted previously:

James Marsters wasn't on the list because I didn't actually see him in person. I don't know about you, but I would love to see Adam Baldwin next year in Australia. How about bring Yvonne Strahovski back to Sydney?

The exhibition was massive as usual. There were so many people! I saw this lady picked up a Harry Potter wand and waved it. Truth me, she was expecting magic to happen. I had a picture taken with an Iron Man yesterday, I swear he is RDJ's double especially his left side! And I took picture of Green Hornet's Black Beauty. It's no Impala, but it's good looking piece of plastic.

Not the Impala.

For SGA fan, David Nykl (aka Dr Zelenka) was there. He was so animated! He made some interesting points about web series being a great way to break into Hollywood, which I agree. Instead of the old way of getting your scripts to the networks or studios, if you can make the pilot and release it on web, you should do it! Like.. I am totally doing this.

The most excited thing and the reason I went to this year's Supernova is because of the Falling Skiesscreening. I liked what I saw and this show has potentials. The Fox8 lady gave me chocolate. That's what I am talking about! When face-to-face PR is better than viral marketing! But seriously, not that I expect anything less specular from Steven Spielberg, but after the preview screening, I was ready for more. Noah Wyle, certainly looked interesting as the John Connor-like hero. To me, Falling Skies is a cross between Terminator, Battle: LA, Cloverfield, District 9 and Resident Evil. But why must aliens be so bad all the time in pop culture? Can we just all get along? With Lost, 24, Smallville goneandthe end of Supernatural is inevitable, I am certainly fishing for more new shows to watch, Once Upon a Time and Falling Skies are the one to watch.

On a completely different topic -- one superhero at a time. I am not excited (and don't care) about the one with the Green ring, but I am super-excited about Captain America and Harry Potter. I am sure Captain America will delivery and with Harry Potter, I am going to watch it in Gold Class. Why the hell not? And I am not the only to say this, but BRING IT Pottermore!!!

11 June 2011

Just read about some additional information on the Supernatural season six DVD special features! I am so excited! Looks like there will be commentaries from Robert Singer, Sera Gamble and Ben Edlund on Clap Your Hands If you Believe and The French Mistake.

And... wait for it (are you sitting down?) there will be a Jensen Ackles: A Director’s Journey featurette.

Amazon hasn't posted the DVD release date, but according to EW, it is September 13. Stay turned for more official details.

10 June 2011

It's the hellatus and news have been slow. The cast and crew are on holiday, taking a break, getting ready for season seven. No break for me! At work, I've been doing some interesting research for a big project. At home, I have been catching up with some software updates, backing up my hard-drive and doing more research for my story. Oh, I didn't tell you? I am writing a story. It's going to be epic! At least that's the plan!

So.. I do have a few things planned for the hellatus on the Supernatural front. I am my working on a Castiel fanvid and I am joined by Kara and Amy to present the Supernatural season six awards. Here is what Kara and I did last year. We are very exciting Amy is able to join us this year to share our love with you all. Stay turned!

Just so you know, Danneel looks great in orange! The Ackles were at the CMT Music Awards on Wednesday. See more from Just Jared.

05 June 2011

The best thing about #NashCon this weekend is that Jared Padalecki (yeah you know the tall one in Supernatural) announced he is officially on Twitter, he goes by the name @jarpad with 38,685 followers and counting! Most awesomely (if there is such word), he used Jensen as his Twitter profile pic!!!

Jim and Clif had done a great job in telling fans Jared wasn't on Twitter before, but now that JARPAD is on Twitter, they can rest. All you FAKES can move over and get a life of your own than pretending to be the man.

Here is the video from the convention to verify his presence on Twitter.

Steve Carlson's concert and the kareoke kicked off with a blast on Friday night. You can follow the following guests and fans on Twitter. You can also search the hashtag #NashCon for tweets regarding the convention. This time, J2 will appear on Saturday instead of Sunday, which is good for me because I can follow the live tweets on Sunday morning (Sydney time). Yay!

02 June 2011

Teeny forwarded an email to me today -- the remaining nine Borders stores in Australia will close by the end of July. I admit, I can't remember the last time I walked into a retail bookstore like Borders, but I do enjoy the retail experience. Whenever I am there, I always pick up a magazine or a book, grab a coffee and sit there to read it. For Sydnersiders, you may know bookstores such as Berkelouw and Ariel in Paddington, I still enjoy visiting them and I hope they stick around because despite my digital habit, I still go out! Yes, I do!

I am someone who move around a lot and I hate packing, but I hate unpacking more! The last time I moved out of my apartment, I was mortified when I looked at all my CDs from the pre-iTune era (yeah, remember CDs?) I was like WHY ARE YOU OCCUPYING MY SPACE? My books and magazines don't scare me as much, I still like them. Especially my collections of IdN. I love IdN because each issue is unique, from the design to the actual paper stocks. I don't think I'll enjoy it as much if I read it in digital format.

Space is an issue to me. I live in a small apartment, I only have one bookshelf and I have no space for any additional crap. But crap is unavoidable, so I started putting some of my books and DVDs into my retired bar fridge, it's a good little thing for storage.

My habit has certainly changed over the past two years in terms of buying books and DVDs from Amazon, and buying music from iTune. I can't remember the last time I bought a CD. Since I got an iPad last year, I have been reading ebooks on it. When it comes to TV shows and movies, I still prefer the actual disk and watch it on my TV. Beside, my internet speed and limit aren't the best, I can only download two TV shows max on a weekly basis.

I wonder what's on Jensen's iPad..

A few nights ago, I was hoping to get the latest tie-in novel Supernatural: One Year Gone in a digital format. But guess what? It's available as ebook in other regions, but you can't download it if you're in Australia. If I order it from Amazon, even with the express delivery I still have to wait for a few days. It probably has something to do with the distribution rights and costs, but here is the thing, despite the fact that all-things-digital are playing an integral part of our life (more than you know it), the industry is still in the transition/ limbo stage. Take my case as an example, I am a consumer, when I want something, I kinda expect to get it RIGHT NOW. If Supernatural: One Year Gone is released in a digital format, why can't I just download it despite where I am physically or geographically? And if I wait for the book to arrive in a bookstore in Australia, not only I have to wait but the book will be expansive to buy. And if I wait for the discount sale, well.. I'll wait longer. By then, I probably don't remember what I have been waiting for -- perhaps Waiting for My Book: One Year Gone?

I have been doing some research lately on social media, mobile, Square, Google digital wallet and other technology innovations. Consumer technology is moving at an unprecedented pace. My mother would say we are either getting smarter, less patience or lazier. But I see this as an opportunity for everyone. It isn't just about the cool devices and the hype, it's about what you can do with it. More important, it's about fast information, instant help and interacting with people regardless where you are geographically. Whether it be a bank, a TV network or a retail store, businesses have to prepare to respond quickly and to engage us in real-time or they can kiss us goodbye.

I do like the Borders recycle bags, I better grab a few before they become extinct.